Test drive of the Hyundai Kona EV, an electric SUV that isn't afraid of the motorway

Finally, an electric car with which you can cover long distances without much anxiety about range or being stranded halfway through your journey. The electric SUV we tested is not afraid of the motorway and enjoys a more than respectable electric range of over 400 km thanks to its 64 kWh batteries.

We collected the Hyundai Kona Electric we tested in Madrid and, to put its range to the test, we drove the usual route between Madrid and Vigo (600 km). Is the Hyundai Kona EV interesting in terms of range? Can we venture onto the motorway with it without being too limited? What else does this Kona EV offer? Was it possible to cover 600 km with it in one trip? We will try to answer all these questions and more in this test of a very interesting electric SUV.

Design: an exterior that maximises efficiency and a spacious interior that gives up nothing

The already daring design of the Hyundai Kona (we have tested its petrol version) carries over to this 100% electric version with few changes beyond improved efficiency. Perhaps the front is where the changes are most noticeable, as the grille is completely closed so no air gets in, and there sits the CCS charging inlet (compatible with Mennekes or CCS Combo). The front fog lights have also been removed and the main headlights redesigned, featuring LED technology for all lighting functions.

Another eye-catching element is its wheels, specifically designed to maximise efficiency, which is why they have a design that leaves almost no gaps through which air could enter. The rear remains unchanged from the combustion versions, keeping those black plastic details as contrast that give it an SUV and personal touch.

On entering the interior, the first thing that stands out is the space. It is similar to the fossil-fuel Kona, but with a completely redesigned centre console. The gear lever is replaced by just four buttons that let us select the driving mode (D, R, N and P), which is specific to the electric version. The fully digital instrument cluster stands out, with several modes depending on the driving style we select.

The driver’s seat, which in this top-of-the-range version has heating and ventilation, is comfortable and offers adequate lateral support (it is not a sports seat). Everything is within easy reach, with good visibility and plenty of room for feet and head.

The same applies to the rear seats, which are very spacious thanks to the absence of a centre console, with the middle seat gaining comfort. There are recesses in the centre console for charging a phone (wirelessly) or for storing our belongings, as well as a fairly deep central storage compartment. The boot has a capacity of 332 litres.

Engine and performance: ECO yes, but with character too

The Kona Electric version we tested has a motor that delivers 204 CV of power (150 kW), and it should also be noted that torque is instant, with its 395 Nm felt as soon as we touch the accelerator. This depends on the driving mode (ECO, Comfort and Sport), but in Sport it literally “burns rubber” from any standstill.

So we can drive in ECO mode and get the most out of this electric car’s range, or have fun in Sport mode, with a surge that surprises from the very first second, especially on urban routes where it moves with an agility that would not envy a sports car. That said, its chassis clearly favours comfort and does not aim for dynamic behaviour.

Behaviour: 450 km real-world, no fear of the motorway

As mentioned, the Hyundai Kona Electric is not a sporty car (even though its motor reminds us that it has character), but rather one that seeks comfort. On the road it is comfortable and even on winding roads it holds its line despite its weight and tyres, which are not the best for this task nor are they meant to be.

It offers several driving modes: ECO, Comfort and Sport, as well as an ECO+ mode that limits speed and switches off the climate control for emergencies when charge is running low.

Thanks to the paddles we can choose between four regeneration levels, from the one with the strongest braking as soon as we lift off the accelerator, to the one with the least, which lets it coast as if in “neutral”. An indicator also tells us how many kilometres we gain through this energy regeneration. This system also has an “Auto” mode which, using the front sensor, increases or decreases regeneration if there is a car ahead or we approach a traffic light or a queue, something that is genuinely useful and which I have seen in very few electric models.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpN4Y_a86Fo

The brakes are also worth mentioning, as they have an unusual feel, since at first they regenerate energy and in a second stage they brake; it takes a few kilometres to get used to the feel.

Finally, this Kona Electric is not afraid of the motorway or of covering roads with a certain enthusiasm, and it is comfortable over our 1,200 km round trip between Madrid > Vigo > Madrid.

Electric range, charging and consumption

The range it promises of 450 km is entirely achievable, and indeed, on urban or mixed routes with some road driving, it can stretch to 500 km. It has a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 64 kWh, with an average energy consumption of 16 kWh on the motorway and 12 kWh on country roads/in the city.

To charge the batteries, it has a CCS Combo connector for fast charging, which, even with an almost fully depleted battery, reaches 80% in just over an hour and a half. On a normal charging point it charges at just over 6.9 kW, a very low figure compared with other models on the market that charge faster. If we use a “Mennekes” connector, it makes no difference whether the charging point is semi-fast (22 kW) or slower, because it will not charge at more than 6.9 kW, which translates to nearly 9 hours of charging at a conventional point.

At 8% charge, it considers that it has entered energy reserve and switches on ECO+ mode. It is also very faithful in terms of range, that is, it is not overly optimistic in indicating a range it then fails to deliver.

With all this, driving at a normal speed of between 110 km/h and 120 km/h, I was able to complete the Madrid > Vigo route (600 km) with just one one-hour stop. These figures show that it can be electric without being limited when it comes to long journeys, although one must stop for an hour (to take a relaxed break at a point with a CCS Combo charger).

Equipment and price of the Hyundai Kona Electric 150 kW

The standard equipment of the Kona Electric is very comprehensive, even more so in this 150 kW version, where features stand out such as ventilated and heated seats, adaptive cruise control, lane departure assistance, the Krell sound system (decent but not outstanding compared with other sound systems), blind spot warning for the mirrors, automatic emergency braking, among other features.

A notable detail is the complete information about the electrical system offered by the multimedia screen, from range (with and without climate control) to consumption details or the maximum remaining distance with the current battery charge. As a curious detail, if we select a destination in the navigation system that is beyond the battery’s range, it warns us that we will need to charge along the way in order to reach it.

Its starting price is 39,500 euros for the 100 kW (136 CV) version with a 39 kWh battery, and 43,500 euros for the 150 kW version (204 CV) with a 64 kWh battery.

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Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverHyundai Kona18 versions · from 30,190 €